CPEC to bring holistic, inclusive development in country: Ahsan Iqbal

ISLAMABAD, Sep 5 (APP): Minister for Planning, Development and Reforms, Ahsan Iqbal on Monday said that China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) would bring holistic and inclusive development in the country.

He said the country’s youth could play important role in
Pakistan’s development and for this purpose dialogue and debate were necessary for promoting tolerance in the society and conducive environment for innovation and creativity.

“We give opportunity to the country’s youth for inculcating
leadership qualities through innovation for the better future of the country”, he remarked.

The minister said that China was most trusted friend of
Pakistan, which was bringing huge investment through the
mega project of CPEC for the development and prosperity of Pakistan.

He added that China had decided to make huge investment in the country, when Pakistan was going through the critical phase, and foreign investors were shying away in making investment in Pakistan.

Ahsan Iqbal said that now the western media and economic think tanks consider Pakistan as a most ideal country for investment as compared with any other country of the world.

The minister said that CPEC, which would connect Gwadar port with China and other regional countries, would ensure socio-economic partnership between China and Pakistan.

He said that connectivity and infrastructure development play vital role in the development of any country.

Ahsan Iqbal said that all the provinces and political leaders
were unanimous on CPEC and all the stakeholers were committed to complete the project of national significance.

The minister said that the government was committed to socio- economic development of Gwadar, where modern university, airport, hospital and vocational institute were being constructed.

He added that the development of industrial zones across the country and Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan would convert Pakistan as a hub of industrial activities and would help enhance the country’s economic growth.